Duplicity - A True Story of Crime and Deceit by Paul Goldman (surface ebook reader txt) 📗

“Fine, and you?” sheasked, rubbing her temples as she made her way into the kitchen.Johnny looked up at her with a smile, and Audrey flashed him aquick smile and sat down at the table. My giddiness continued as Idivided the eggs onto three plates, added the fruit and theslightly burnt toast, and carried it over to the small glass toptable in the breakfast nook.

Our breakfast conversation turned to talk ofAudrey’s grandmother. Since it was Saturday, Audrey would soon beleaving for her four day stay in Cocoa Beach, attending to theelderly woman’s every need. Though I now knew she was beingcompensated for all her time and hard work, I still really admiredAudrey for her sense of responsibility since her days with hergrandmother must have been very difficult. Understanding hercommitment, a part of me had still hoped she would have arrangedfor her aunt to fill in so we could have spent at least a few daystogether after the wedding.

“You know, I really justlike being of service to people,” Audrey said, sipping her coffee,and leaving her food untouched. “And it’s only for a short time.This part-time marriage of ours won’t be forever,” she promised,and quickly rose from the table, gave me a quick peck on the cheek,collected her things, and headed out the door.

While I washed thebreakfast dishes, I had time to think. Wow, no mention of lastnight? No mention of our wedding night? It's almost like we weren'teven really married. Her blasé attitude toward me, our marriage,and our new life together concerned me greatly.

Pushing the “on” button ofthe dishwasher started me thinking about more pragmatic things,like work. I grabbed Johnny and headed out the door for my homeoffice in Boynton. Topping my list of things to do was organizingmy files and preparing my computer to move them to myJupiter Lakes house, andputting the Boynton home on the market, both for sale and for rent.Whichever occurred first was okay by me.

Returning to Boynton, I focused on work,knowing that I wouldn't see Audrey, my wife, again for almost fivelonely days. I lovingly placed next to my computer monitor the cardAudrey had given me the day before. I reread it:

Love is a gift to cherish. There is a mutualspark & majical touch. An ever-lasting friendship has begun.They share happiness & sorrow. Many challenges lie ahead.Thoughts are shared. Compromises are made to meet each others wants& needs. Like best friends, even without quantity, there isalways quality time together.

Marriage is a partnership. It's a commitmentbetween two people who are joining their life's treasures no matterhow big or small. Two families grow into one. There is the constantdesire to enjoy the pleasures of growing old together whilewatching the young ones journey through life.

With you Paul, this is what I see &feel. The love I have is unconditional. May the seeds we planttoday blossom into a garden for all to share & enjoy.

On the envelope of thecard Audrey wrote the words, “BIG SECRET.” Inside, such beautifulsentiments, yet the words on the envelope were puzzling. I wonderedwhat big secret Audrey was referring to...

CHAPTER EIGHT

Red Flags

October - December 2007

Marriage had not changedme, in one important respect. I loved Costco. I loved the oversizedpizza-by-the-slice and bottomless soda for only $2.25 per person.And of course, one piece was big enough for two kids.Costco was the perfectplace for our family to come back together after Audrey's four dayabsence.

Not wanting to be late,Johnny and I hurried through the crowded parking lot, struggling tosurvive the oppressive humidity and the shopping cart traffic jams.When the great Costco doors opened for us, we took our familiar path by the sixty-inch plasma televisions and the fine jewelry counter to get to thebrightly lit eatery. Working hard to hold onto Johnny while nearlymissing a flying lollipop hurled by a passing child, I caught sightof Audrey and her kids who were already seated at an orange table,awaiting the arrival of the already ordered pizza.

Taking a seat next to mywife, I greeted her with a kiss and a brief embrace while thechildren cheered Johnny’s arrival. Annie, Audrey's oldest, reallyhad developed a maternal affection for him and Johnny basked in herattention. Audrey’s second child, Davey, proved to be more of aplaymate and buddy, while the youngest, Tommy, was the littlebrother I knew Johnny couldn’t wait to start to play with when hegot a little older. It may not have been “The Brady Bunch,” but we were ahappy, amicable group nonetheless.

The pizza arrived shortly after we did and itdidn’t take long before we were all caught up from our days apart,and little Tommy was covered in pizza sauce. Our moods werecheerful, the pizza was tasty, and the only thing I would havechanged was the relentless humidity. Dabbing my forehead for themillionth time, I vocalized an idea the minute it came into myhead.

“Honey, why don’t we get asummer home in California?” I suggested impulsively, surprisingeven myself.

“What? Where is thiscoming from?” she asked, with a curious smile.

“I don’t know. Wouldn’t itbe nice to get out of Florida during the hot months? Spend sometime on the left coast?” I continued, giving Davey a wink as thekids began to stir with excitement.

“I think that’s awonderful idea,” Audrey said. “Spontaneous and wonderful! We couldgo during the kids’ summer vacation from school. What do you thinkof that, kids?” she enthused, turning toward the children who werenow chewing excitedly. A chorus of “yeahs!” erupted from the twoolder children, while the younger two smiled in their partialunderstanding.

“But what about work?”Audrey asked. The question silenced the table as all eyes turned onme.

“I could run the businesslong distance. With all the new technology available, a travelingoffice is very doable. I’ll run it by Daniel, but I know it wouldwork,” I said, thrilled that my proposal had merited such aresponse. I loved being a hero. Audrey’s eyes were glowing and Ifelt her hand softly rubbing my thigh.

“I think it would bewonderful,” she said again, smiling at me flirtatiously.

The next day I put a call into BrentHarcourt, an Orange County realtor who had not only orchestratedthe purchase and sale